Reasons your face is swollen

Facial swelling is a condition that has many causes that range from mild to severe, including allergies, infections and underlying medical conditions. But there are some common conditions that can be readily identified as triggers for swollen face.

Facial swelling can be a side effect of some common medications like ACE inhibitors for high blood pressure, ARBs for high blood pressure, corticosteroids, estrogen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and thiazolidinediones for diabetes

It can also be a result of drug allergies, though it might not be a medication side effect, but your body’s allergic reaction. This can cause swelling in your face and elsewhere. It may also cause an itchy rash on your skin and breathing problems, sometimes, it is serious enough to require emergency medical care.

Bite or sting from bees, wasps or spiders can inflame and irritate the skin. And while it usually gets better in a few hours or days, an allergic reaction can worsen the swelling, sometimes away from the bite itself, especially when anaphylaxis that makes it hard to breathe and needs emergency care occurs.

If you are allergic to things you eat or drink, your body will react if it comes across them. This may inflame your face within minutes, especially around your lips and eyes, as well as your tongue and the roof of the mouth. You may also feel light-headed, nauseated and itchy on your skin or inside your ears, mouth, or throat.

Angioedema is another factor. It is when too much fluid collects under your skin, commonly around your face. It’s not always clear what causes it, but it can happen because of an allergic reaction to a wide range of things, including pollen, latex (in rubber), insect bites, food, water, and even sunlight. Medications can also cause it, even without an allergic reaction.

Sinusitis: This usually starts with the common cold which makes it easier for bacteria to infect your sinuses, the small hollow, bony areas near your cheekbones. A stuffy, blocked nose is the most obvious symptom. Pain and swelling happen around your nose, cheeks, eyes and forehead and might get worse when you bend over.

Preeclampsia: If you’re pregnant and your face, hands, or feet swell all of a sudden, it may be a sign of this serious condition. You might also have a headache, nausea, trouble breathing, or belly pain. It starts around 20 weeks into a pregnancy and causes a rise in blood pressure.

Cushing’s Syndrome: Your face can get a rounded, “moon-faced” swollen look from this rare condition. It happens when your adrenal glands make too much of the “stress hormone” cortisol for too long. You might also have more fat around your belly and neck, weaker muscles and purplish bruises or stretch marks.

Cellulitis: This is when bacteria infect the lower layers of skin. The first sign is usually red and swollen skin that’s warm and sensitive to the touch. You might have chills, fever and sometimes nausea, drowsiness, and trouble thinking. Also, there could be red streaks, bumps or sores on your skin.

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